Genomic analysis of Pseudoalteromonas sp. M58 reveals its role in chitin biodegradation

Chitin, the most abundant polysaccharide in the ocean, is a kind of high molecular weight organic matter formed by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) via β-1,4-glucoside linkage. Degradation and recycling of chitin driven by marine bacteria are crucial for biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen in the ocean. Pseudoalteromonas sp. M58, a Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium, was isolated from the seawater samples collected from the Mariana Trench. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain M58 and its genomic characteristics to degrade chitin. The genome of strain M58 contains two circular chromosomes (3,348,672 bp and 723,540 bp, respectively). Genomic analysis showed that strain M58 contained a set of genes involved in chitin degradation, indicating that it possesses the potential ability to degrade chitin. This study provides novel insights into chitin degradation by marine microorganisms.